Just get into the mindset that you're gonna do it! If you actually contemplate what it entails then you'll be put off every time! If someone had told me when I first started running that I'd be doing a marathon I'd have laughed at them as I struggled to complete a mile!

I've had to head straight out to my sisters so I'll try it out tomorrow. I'm sure it'll be fine. I'll get it over to royles next week or the week after that to get the zip sorted, failing that I can always get the needle and thread out

Oh yes indeed, once I've sorted out the wetsuit then it's all about the training. Just debating whether or not to get tri bars for next year. You reckon they're worth the investment? I think Frodo may still need a little shove in the right direction to be convinced that Outlaw is the way to go next year

I think I'll need some tri bars fitted and hang the expense; been out a few times this weekend, and finally braved the Manchester rush-hour commute on the bike, but I am finding the vibrations quite tough through my damaged wrist. I suspect tri-bars will help alleviate that a bit? I found gloves helpful when I was doing 8+hour rides on the MTB, so will resurrect those too. Any other top tips? (I don't think I've mastered the ride position/set-up yet, either )

I don't know, I leave you for an hour and you've descended into comparing lubes

Seriously, Steve, that sounds like an ace idea.

Cake, I thought the tri bars would shift the amount of weight I'm putting through my wrists at present? As for confidence, well my first ever ride was at a measly 13.5mph av for 15 miles, my second was at 14.5mph over the same distance and I know there is more in there, cos I didn't break a sweat but everything freaks me out at the moment and causes me to slow down - road surface changes, raised iron works, corners, roundabouts, pedestrians, cars, motorbikes, vans, horses.... did I miss anything?

Right, I'm off to cycle home from work; thinking of being brave and heading out on a different route to add in a few extra miles. It depends how kamikaze I'm feeling as to whether I can cope with negotiating the A56 through Stretford

(This was so much easier on the MTB - just headed out to the Trans Pennine Path and pottered for hours!)

I’ve got tri bars on my bike and do make a difference. The ones I’ve got a cheap’uns and not integrated into the bike so have to change position to change gears and stuff. If you can afford it best to get a bike frame that can change gears down but expensive bikes. Dave has a nice bike that that I think. For long races it’s all about %’ages and the difference something like that makes is about 5%? 5% on a ironman makes a lot of difference.

Can't afford a designated TT bike so it would just be the clip on ones that you have.

The only way to gain your confidence is to do more miles on the bike, as for other idiotic road users who seem intent on wiping you out well, there are plenty of them out there. You just have to be aware at all times and second guess what they are gonna do, if the moron looks like he/ she might cut right across you and leave you nowhere to go but over the bonnet then that is probably what he/ she's gonna try and do!!!!

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